SHAOLIN SPURS — San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama is on the side quest to end all side quests.
On Tuesday, the 21-year-old French phenom completed a 10-day stay at the Shaolin Monastery in Henan province, China, when he was awarded the level of "Shaolin First Duan," according to X user EnmingHuang.
Wembanyama surprised fans last week when pictures began circulating on social media of the 7-footer sitting in a Shaolin temple with a newly-shaved head. Soon enough, he was eating, running and practicing kung-fu with monks as more videos were posted.
Spurs Fam，Wemby was practicing "Kungfu"🥋@spurs#WembyDaily#Updates#GoSpursGopic.twitter.com/wp9jqLXCLY
— EnmingHuang (@SpursGDP) June 16, 2025
Just when it looked like the NBA All-Star might be disappearing into a new life and leaving his stardom behind, a photo was posted of the 2024 Rookie of the Year playing basketball against locals sporting Spurs merch in China.
Wembanyama missed the final 36 games of the 2024-25 season after discovering deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, making him ineligible for Defensive Player of the Year, despite finishing the season as the NBA blocks leader in just 46 games.
ESPN reported that the French national team has expressed hope that Wembanyama will be able to play for his country at this summer's European championships beginning in late August.
